Apparatus for generating combustible gas



ou. 1s, 1932. c. o. WANNACK 1,333,143

APPARATUS I'QOR GENERATING COMBUSTIBLE GAS 'Filed Nov.,18. 1929 nen'v?? I ari @fall/annui, ww

Patented Oct. 18, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE CARL 'OTTO WANNACK, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE' ASSIGNMENTS, T S. H. G. INCORPORATED, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION 0F DELAWARE APPARATUS For. cinlvnasxrnre4 coliBUsrmrE GAS Application led November 18, 1929. Serial N. 409,715.

This invention relates to improvements in lan apparatus for generating combustible gas lwith a combustible liquid and for confining 5 the resultant gas in a zone separate from the main bulk supply of combustible liquid.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for generating combustible gas which comprises means for 1o confining the main Supply of combustible liquid and the generated gas in separate com` partments and means for automatically passing a regulated portion of combustible liquid from the liquid compartment to the gas compartment simultaneously with the introduction of air under pressure to the gas compartment.

means for automatically controlling the passage of liquid and air to the gas compartment by the pressure existent in the gas compartment.

A further feature of my inventionl comprises means for subjecting the liquid in the liquid compartment to air under pressure, andV maintaining this pressure substantially constant regardless of the liquid level in said compartment.

The invention briefly described, comprises a tank divided into two compartments, one for combustible liquid and the other for combustible gas, a motor-operated blower for simultaneously supplying air under pressure to both compartments through separate lines, a check valve opening away from the blower interposed in each line, aj pipe connecting `the liquid chamber and the gas chamber, an automatically-operated valve interposed in said intimately associating air under pressure Another feature of my invention comprises pipe, and means for simultaneously starting the motor, which drives the blower, and opens companying drawing and following .detail description.

In the drawing, Fig. 1 ,is a diagrammatic side elevation, partly in section, of the gas generating plant.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the wiring connections.

Referring in detail to the dra-wing, 1 indicates an air intake pipe connected to a blower or'air compressor 2. The pipe 1 may preferably open to a point exterior of ya building 3. The blower 2 may be operated by a motor or the like 4, which may drive the blower through the agency of a belt or sprocket chain 5. The blower 2 may draw air through the intake pipe 1 and discharge said air through a pipe 6.

A tank 7 may be buried in the ground eX- l terior of the building 3, and is preferably 'extending filler pipe 12 serves to prevent the compartment 9 from bein completely filled with fiuid. In other wor s, an air space is always provided above the surface of the fiuid 11.

A housing 14 may be connected to the compartment 9, adaptedto receive a liquid level gauge (not shown) of any accepted design.

he compressed air passing through the pipe 6 is diverted at the T15 through two lines 16 and 17 respectively. Interposed in the line 16 is a check valve 18 which opens away from the compressor. The other end of the line 16 may be connected into the compartment 9. When the blower is operating, air under pressure is delivered through the pipe 6, check valve 18, and line -16 to the air space above the fluid 11 in the compartment 9.

The pipe 17 may be connected to, and eX- tend downwardly into compartment 8. Interposed in the4 line 17 is a check valve 19 which opens away from the blower 2, and

prevents the back fiow of gas from the compartment 8 to the blower when the motor 4. is not in operation. The end of the pipe 17 within the compartment 8 may be provided with a removable nozzle 17, which will be hereinafter more fully described.

A pipe 22 may extend downwardly into the compartment 9, the end of which may be open and disposed within, say 2 to 6 inches, (more or less) from the bottom of said compartment so as to be submerged in the liquid. Therpipe 22 virtually forms a U, the other end of which terminates within the compartment'8, adjacent the end of the compressed air pipe 17. The end of pipe 22 in compartment 8 may be bent, as shown at 23 in Fig. 1 so as to discharge fluid at an angle to the air issuing from nozzle.17. In order to control the quantity and velocity of the fluid issuing from the pipe 22 the latter m'ay be provided with a removable nozzle 22. The arrangement is such that the point of intersection of the fluid and air stream is spaced from the air discharge a sufficient distance so that the cooling effect produced by therapid evaporation of the Huid will not freeze the moisture entrained in the compressed. air andl foul the air discharge.

An automatic solenoidally actuated valve,

designated as a whole 24, may be interposed in the pipe 22 exterior of both compartments, the arrangement being such that, when motor 4 is functioned, the valve 24 will be simultaneously energized through the electrical connection 25. In this mann/er, while motor 4 is operating air under pressure, will be introduced into chamber 9 through pipe 16, and

a pressure will be established in said chamber above the surface of the fluid 11 contained therein, forcing a portion of said fiuid through pipe 22 and valve 24 and discharging the fluid from orifice or nozzle 22 in chamber 8. At the same time air under pressure is also issuing from line 17 through the air nozzle 17, and is directed into contact with the stream of fluid issuing from nozzle 22, thereby breaking up the fluid into a finely divided vapor orv fog and producing a combustible gas.

A gas outlet pipe26 is connected into the chamber 8 and preferably extends downwardly thereinto to within a few inches of the bottom. A T coupling 27 may be connected to the upper end of pipe 26 into which a gas discharge line 28 may be connected. The third end of the T 27 may be closed by means of a removable plug or the like 29. By this arrangement, if unvaporizcd fluid, such as water, accumulates at the bottom of the compartment 8, it may be withdrawn without disconnecting the line 28, merely by removing plug 29, inserting a pipe'or the like (not shown) through pipe 26 and withdrawing the water or unvaporized iuid through the auxiliary pipe.

The line 28 may lead to the building 3 or to any point of gas consumption; a conventional pressure reducing valve 29 may be interposed in line 28 to reduce the pressure of the gas from chamber 8 to a pressure at which gas may be conveniently and efficiently con- 4sumed. A vent pipe 30 may communicate with valve 29 and may open at a point exterior of the building 3. A Hash-back arrester 31 may be interposed in line 28 preferably inch, more or less, the pressure-operated switch 20 will be actuated to simultaneously energize the motor 4 and valve 24, thereby generating gas in the compartment 8. When the generation of gas has proceeded to the point where a predetermined maximum pressure is reached in compartment 8, say for instance, four to five pounds per square inch, more or less, the switch functions to disconnect the motor 4 and deenergize valve 24, thereby cutting 'off the generation of gas, and completely separating the two compartments 8 and 9. In this manner gas generated and confined in compartment 8 is unaffected by evaporation from the main bulk supply of fluid 11. -f

Referring particularly to Fig. 2, a schematic diagram of the electrical circuit and connections is shown; 32 indicates a source of electrical current across which motor 4 is connected while 20 indicates an automatic pressure-operated switch connected in series with the motor. A solenoid 24 may also be connected across the motor 4 being operated when the switch 2O is closed. A plunger or core 24 `is adapted to be raised when solenoid 24 is energized, thereby opening the valve 24. When the switch 20 is opened, the motor stops and solenoid 24 is simultaneously deenergized, permitting the core 24v to. fall by gravity, thereby closing the valve 24. It is to be understood of course, that elements 24, 24" and 24', correspond to valve 24.

In one mode of carrying out my invention, a quantity of combustible fluid may be introduced into the compartment 9 of tank 7 through filler pipe 12. The compartment 9 may be initially filled to approximately the lower end of pipe 12, which pipe is then closed by. means of a conventional cap 33. The motor 4 may then be started functioning the blower 2 and opening the valve 24. Com

pressed air will pass through line 16 and establish a pressure upon the fiuid 11, thereby forcing a desired quantity of fluid through .l ...le

gas.

'value,

deenergize the solenoid pipe 22, nozzle 22', and into chamber 8. The

the stream of .air issuing from the nozzle `17 thereby intimately associating the air and combustible lfluid and forming a combustiblev The calorific value of the combustible gas generated can be accurately regulated by controlling the ratio of the quantity of air and fluid brought into contact in the chamber 8. These factors may be varied at will by changing the relative sizes of the nozzles 17 and 22 of the air and fluid streams respectively. In this manner, for the production of a combustible gas of a desired calorifc a suitable arrangement of nozzle sizes may lie-utilized which will insure the vaporization of all of the fluid introduced iiito the compartment 8. The rate of gas generation ,f can be readily controlled by the capacity of the blower 2. v

lVith the generation of combustible gas in the chamber 8, the pressure in said chamber will increase, until a predetermined maximum pressure is reached, say for example, four or five pounds per square inch, more or less. Upon reaching this critical pressure, the pressure-actuated switch 20 will function to stop the motor 4 and simultaneously 24 permitting the to fall by gravity, closing the valve'24. Hence, the generation of combustiblegas is stopped'and 'all means of communication'L between the compartments 8 and 9 is' cut off.

The withdrawal of combustible gas for, consumption reduces the pressure in gas compartment 8.

plunger 24" below a predetermined minimum, say 1 to dent.

l so

generated tor 4 being :ment the ent-ire 11/2 pounds per square inch, more or less, the pressure-actuated switch 2O is automatically functioned to again start the motor 4 and simultaneously open valve 24. The m-odirectly connected to the compressor'2 will operate the compressor to charge air under pressure 'through lines 16 and 17 until the pressure again reaches the predetermined maximum. By uthis arrangeoperation is automatically controlled Iand is functioned solely by the pressure within the two compartments. The check valves 18 and 19 revent liquid and iliewing back to the air compressor in case of un oreseen acci- I have found it` desirable to dispose the mouth of the gas Withdrawal pipe 26 in the v chamber 8 remotely with respect to the point of gas generation inasmuch as the freshly gas is thus permitted to travel through the entire compartment 8 before it is withdrawn. In this manner a homogeneous gas will always be withdrawn. l v

While I have illustrated the switch 2O as -the combustible fluid.V A heating When this pressure is reduced taking the form of a mercoid switch, it is to Vbe understood that any equivalent element `which is automatically functioned by the pressure within the gas compartment or stop the motor may be utilized. Also, I do not wish to be limited to a solenoid valve 24, since .any type of valve lwhich will be automatically functioned can be used. I illustrate the valve as being of the solenoid or magnetic t pe, since solenoid valves have een approve by the board of underwriters;

It may be found desirable under certain conditions to introduce a heating element (not shown) such as a closed coil or the like, into the chamber 8 to assist vaporization of medium, such as hot water, steam, hot oil or the like may be passed through the coil. One condition Which may Warrant the use of the heating element in the gas chamber, may exist when a combustible fluid of comparatively high boiling point is used.

t is a parent that I have provided a method o producing a combustible gas of substantially lany desired caloric value and producing throughout the continuance of the process a combustible gas of constant heat content; a method in which the heat content of the combustible gas maybe changed at will andl maintained constant regardless of atmospheric temperature changes and humidity conditions met in practice.

B the expression combustible Huid as usedy in the specification and claims is meant a fluid which lwhen suitably mixed with air will produce a combustible gas. Such fluids as gasoline, pentane, hexane, benzol, alcohols and the like may be used, but it is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited thereto except as specified in the appended claims. e

I have found it to be advantageous to so proportion the quantity of combustible liquid and air Vbrought into intimate association in the compartment 8, that the air admitted is not saturated, for instance, the resultant gas when formed may be of a caloriic value corresponding to approximately 25% (more or to start ture conditions of the air will have little or v no eifect upon the heat value of the gas.

It is` to be understood that many modifications and arrangements of my device may *be made without of my invention, for instance, the apparatus shown conined in the building 3, namely switch 20, motor 4, blower 2 and lines 6, 16 and 17 may be disposed ,adjacent the tank 7, for example, in the sump 34, in whichv case the entire generating plant will be 4disposed remotely from the building 3 gas line 28 will enter same.

I claim. as my invention: y

1. In combination, an enclosed vessel dividdeparting from the spiritand only the tively, an air compressor,

tions between the air compressor and each .r air compressor compartment, a pipe connecting the liquid compartment and the gas compartment, an automatically operated valve interposed in said pipe, Aand means for simultaneously op-l erating the air compressor and opening said automatic valve.

3. A combustible gas generator, including. an enclosed vessel divided in combination,

.` into separate compartments for combustible liquid and combustible gas respectively, an

air compressor, a separate pipe connecting the air compressor to each compartment,` a pipe connecting the liquid compartment and the gas compartment, an automatically operated valve interposed in said pipe, whereby compressed air is simultaneously passed to each compartment and liquid is caused to pass from the liquid compartment to the gas compartment, the end of said liquid pipe in the gas compartment being compressed air discharge to direct ,the liquid in a stream at an angle to the air issuing from the compressed air pipe.

4. A combustible gas generator, including in combination, an enclosed vessel divided into separate compartments for combustible liquid and combustible gas respectively, an air compressor, a separate pipe connecting the to each compartment, a pipe connecting the liquid compartment and the gas compartment, an automatically operated valve interposed in said pipe, whereby compressed -air is simultaneously passed to each compartment thereby passing liquid from the liquid compartment to the gas compartment, the end of said liquid pipe in the gas compartment being disposed adjacent the compressed air discharge to direct the liquid in a stream at an angle to the air issuing from the compressed air pipe, and a gas drawo pipe con-l nected into said gas compartment, the mouth y of said drawoii pipe being disposed remotely With respect to the discharge of combustible liquid and air Within the gas compartment.

5.' In combination, an enclosed vessel di- Vvided into a compartment for combustible liquid and an isolated storage and generating` compartment for combustible gas, a comdisposed adjacent the 4 pressed air inlet connected to each compartment, a pipe connecting the liquid compartment and the gas compartment, a gas outlet connected into the gas compartment, and means interposed in said gas outlet pipe for simultaneously governing the flow of liquid from the liquid compartment t'o the gas compartment, and the ioW of compressed air to the liquid compartment` and gas compartment.

6. In combination, an enclosed vessel divided into separate compartments for combustible liquid and combustible gas lrespectively, a motor driven air compressor, separate connections between the air compressor and each compartment, a check valve interposed in each connection, a pipe connecting the liquid compartment and the gas compartment, an electrically operated valve interposed in'said pipe, a gas drawoff pipe connected into said gas compartment, and yelectrical means interposed in said gas drawoff pipe `for simultaneously operating the air compressor motor and opening said electrically operated valve.

7 In combination, an enclosed vessel divided into separate compartments for combustible liquid and combustible gas respectively, a pipe connected to each compartment from a common source of compressed air, means connecting the liquid compartment and the gas compartment, and an automatic valve disposed in said latter means for controlling the passage of liquid from the liquid compartment through the valve and into the gas compartment.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

CARL OTTO WANNACK. 

